Coronavirus: Spike in Birmingham cases as UK 'R' number rises
There has been a spike of coronavirus cases in Birmingham, as the UK case rate has risen with latest figures revealing the reproduction number (R value) now stands between 0.9 and 1.1.
Scientists say there have been indications these values may be increasing, with estimated ranges rising slightly from previous publications.
The R number represents the number of people each Covid-19 positive person goes on to infect.
Figures for the seven days leading up to August 17 have revealed a spike in cases in Birmingham.
Birmingham's infection rate stands at 29.1 per 100,000 people – with a total of 332 cases being recorded.
It has jumped up from the rate of 25.6 – and 292 recorded cases – from the previous week.
Dudley's infection rate has fallen to 5.9 per 100,000 with a total of 19 cases being recorded in the borough.
It represents a decrease from the previous week where the rate was 6.2 per 100,000 with 20 cases recorded.
Sandwell's infection rate stands at 22.5 per 100,000 cases, with a total of 74 new cases being recorded.
It has fallen slightly from the rate of 26.2 per 100,000 cases and the 86 cases reported the previous week.
Wolverhampton's rate has increased to 17.5 per 100,000 cases, with 46 being recorded up to August 17.
It marks an increase when compared with the previous week – with a rate of 14.0 per 100,000 cases and 37 cases being recorded.
In Walsall, the infection rate stands at 15.4 per 100,000 – with 44 new cases being recorded. Last week the figure was 8.1 per 100,000 with 23 cases recorded.
In Solihull the rate is 8.8 per 100,000 with 19 cases being recorded – the same as last week.
Stoke-on-Trent's infection rate has increased to 26.1 per 100,000 with 67 new cases being recorded. It is up from 15.6 per 100,000 last week and the 40 cases which were reported.
In Wyre Forest, the infection rate stands at 6.9 per 100,000 with seven cases recorded – with no cases recorded the previous week.
In North Warwickshire, the rate is 7.7 per 100,000 with five cases being recorded. It is up from 3.1 per 100,000 and two cases recorded the previous week.
In Herefordshire, the rate is 4.7 per 100,000 with nine cases being recorded. It is up from 2.6 per 100,000 and five cases the previous week.
South Staffordshire recorded a rate of 1.8 per 100,000 with two cases recorded – down from 4.4 per 100,000 and five cases the previous week.
Staffordshire Moorlands saw a rate of 9.1 per 100,000 with nine cases recorded – up from 1.0 per 100,000 and one case.
And East Staffordshire recorded a rate of 21.7 per 100,000 with 26 cases recorded – up from 6.7 per 100,000 and eight cases.
In Shropshire, the infection rate stands at 6.2 per 100,000 – with a total of 20 cases being recorded.
It means the area has seen double the number of cases and the infection rate when compared to the previous week.
The infection rate, in the seven days up to August 10, was 3.1 per 100,000 with 10 cases recorded.
In Telford and Wrekin, the infection rate stands at 15.0 per 100,000 – with 27 new cases being recorded.
It marks an increase from the previous week where the rate was 5.6 per 100,000, with 10 cases recorded.
